Principles of Multiplication

What we are learning at Reaching Souls

“What happens after we leave?”

This was the question the Lord put on the heart of Jimmy Hodges (founder of Reaching Souls) as he completed another African mission in 1972. It was a blessing to see so many come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ… but what would happen to these new Christians after the missionaries returned home?

Churches were few and far between. It was difficult to find Christian nationals who had been trained and were ready to disciple these new members of Christ’s kingdom. Many African pastors had no training in God’s Word and some of them had not even heard a clear and accurate presentation of the gospel.

Making Disciples by Multiplication

The Lord provided an answer to these problems in 2 Timothy 2:2, where the Apostle Paul explains God’s discipleship development model: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

In 1986, Reaching Souls set out on its first project to Africa with the goal of training faithful believers who would then train others. This winning strategy of multiplication has been Reaching Souls’ blueprint for success for the last 40 years. And today, 10,000 men and women are growing in their faith daily through one-on-one discipleship relationships.

Making disciples by multiplication is God’s plan to reach the world.

Making disciples by multiplication is God’s plan to reach the world. We can learn from this strategy in developing leaders in our organizations.

Applying a Strategy of Multiplication

I wasn’t great at math when I was younger. But when I was introduced to the multiplication table in elementary school, I instantly understood that multiplication is faster than addition.

2 Timothy 2:2 is a call to multiply yourself. The verse shows us four generations of disciples:Paul, Timothy, those Timothy taught, the taught teaching others. Imagine generations of leaders in your organization bearing that kind of fruit.

Addition is better than nothing. It’s progress. But multiplication reaches generations. When it comes to efficiency, addition is walking, and multiplication is running.

The best missions’ strategies are designed for the work to continue after you are no longer there. I have found that to be true also in developing leaders.

Implementing a Philosophy of Multiplication

God literally wrote the book on multiplication. In the very first chapter of the Bible, God gives some instructions about multiplication. He tells Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28, ESV) Multiplication was God’s plan to fill the earth with people and to fill the earth with disciples (Matt. 28:18-20, 2 Tim. 2:2).

As a leader, I want to fill the organization where I serve with other leaders, leaders who are growing spiritually, highly competent in their skills, and bear fruit in ways that further our mission and honor the Lord.

“Multiply and be fruitful” is the leadership philosophy that drives the culture I want at Reaching Souls. As we invest in others and multiply ourselves as leaders, our team and our organizations experience more fruit, more outcomes, more results.

But for years I experienced frustration in finding the team members I wanted to hire with the character, skills, and knowledge I was looking for. After some misfires, I decided to grow our own talent through intentional education and coaching.

Every team needs a coach, and the leader needs to be the coach.

Every team needs a coach, and the leader needs to be the coach. You can have coordinators and assistant coaches, but the success of your team lies with you.

We began hiring younger team members and others with little missions’ experience and started growing our own talent. And now we are building a strong bench of team members with high leadership potential.

Pursuing Practical Multiplication

“You will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue.” I read that many years ago and it helps me to act instead of wasting time hoping things will change or improve.

Several years ago, we created a leadership development program intentionally designed to grow our organization’s next leaders. We call it the “Leadership Bench Press (LBP).” It includes a two-year plan of teaching subjects that strengthen our bench and build leadership muscle. Our LBP also incorporates attendance at Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes Conference and an internship program.

The LBP is an opportunity for me, as the CEO, to personally invest in the professional development of our team. I teach the curriculum myself based upon the best practices I have developed over many years. I teach every session like it’s the only time I will have to pass on what I have learned. My commitment is to give our team everything I have.

It’s a voluntary program available for every team member and over 80% of our team is participating this year.

Bearing Much Fruit

In John chapter 15, we read a beautiful and sobering illustration of the relationship between Christ and his church. In it we see three stages of fruit bearing: fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. One of the fruits of a Christian is more Christians. And one of the fruits of a leader is more leaders.

We are building our current team and as a result, we are building our future team of leaders.

“What happens after we leave?”That was Jimmy’s question. If you intentionally invest in others and multiply yourself, the answer could be much fruit.

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Dustin Manis serves as President & CEO at Reaching Souls International. Last year, Reaching Souls saw 11,595,430 decisions to follow Christ and planted 4,843 churches through 2,700 National Missionaries in 16 countries. Dustin holds an MA in Philanthropy and Development. Connect with him at dustin@reachingsouls.org or on LinkedIn.

Dustin Manis will lead a workshop entitled “Leadership Bench Press (LBP)” at The Outcomes Conference 2026 in Dallas, April 28 – 30. Learn More and Register >>